Creativity is not just in writing a poem or painting a picture, it can be solving a problem. Data analysis can be art. And, from a President who consistently exercises the art of the deal, he is the da Vinci of our time, making a political masterpiece, all in not forsaking the use of his handshake. To ponder the fact that we the people, could further contribute to this man’s inspiration, is hard to comprehend, yet, from a leader left to little vain imagination after taking a bullet, I am sure if asked, he would say this is true. 

For one to say he or she is not creative, is denying being an image-bearer of a Creator. We were meant to create, whether an expression of an idea in an artistic mode, a technical code or process, a meal, a business, a vacation, design of something, conversation, mission strategy, or the beginning of an embryo. Sometimes our creativity is seen through intentional effort, but more often, than not, there is the art of surrender, as to what is produced, could only be experienced and viewed as an inherent talent, or gift. 

It has been said that simplicity is the highest form of creativity. To recover from, national crisis, requires deliberate, concentrated action that is executed with clarity of proposed steps, and streamline invention, done through the contributions of those who know how to take complexity and make it simple. Simple does not always mean easy, but the odds of accomplishment are greater. I think of Elon Musk and the DOGE team, as their assignment necessitates their mastery of optimal programming, as they filter through information to uncover fraud. Perhaps the reason we are the greatest nation on the earth, is the free-thinking access granted us, and not being told how to think. The infiniteness and ability to problem-solve, that lies within the human temples, is vast when beholden to no one, yet surrendered to One. 

Our President is a supporter of the arts and recently signed an executive order alongside musician and long-time friend Kid Rock to target unfair ticket selling by scalpers. For some time, musicians may have experienced industry enslavement, through the dictations of record label counsel and outside party preferences to satisfy the bottom line. The free-lance painter or poet could be the freer among the circle of those traditionally viewed as artists, but all of us subject to criticism, opposition, and resistance for bringing to life the subjects and vision deposited in our minds.

Vanessa Horabuena, is a Christian worship artist, who has worked tirelessly to capture President Trump on canvas through her paintings. She has met with the Commander, and gifted him with her work, yet, her work was met with an Instagram shadow-ban in 2024. A shadow-ban limits content by restricting visibility and happens when the account is unknowingly completely or partially blocked from the app. It was done in, an attempt to silence Vanessa’s voice seen and heard through video messages that support the efforts of those carrying the light to expose the darkness of humanity, or calling out the ridiculousness of those heralding the left. Her courage to speak out for justice and Truth as well as her commitment to stewarding her gift, is an example of a creative made for such a time, and counters some of the still commonly held beliefs of art being heavily liberal, and leftist dominant.

Vanessa’s works out of Tempe, Arizona, but paints at events throughout the country. To view her work: Patriotic Art Prints | Vanessa Horabuena 

I believe this generation of creatives will operate more so in the prophetic, rather than the philosophic. They will create not to escape life or even worse, to exalt the darkness that threatens, but instead will capture life in all its’ intensity of color with power to behold the beauty of Truth, and Truth as beauty. The produced artifacts will not be done in vain-glory but invite and encourage the observer, to also partake in fashioning the truest thought imaginable in a way authentic as well as pleasing to the artist and to his or her audience. 

An Ekphrastic poem is a poem inspired by another work of art, usually a photo or a painting. Based on Vanessa Horabuena’s painting, Fallen Not Forgotten, I wrote the attached Ekphrastic in an epistolary or letter form, to address us the citizens of this country, as the “Enlisted.”

Brita